It’s In You:

Developing Your Entrepreneurial Mindset

You can be an entrepreneur if you want to be one.

But, it’s possible you may have to let go of old ways of thinking and doing things.

You may have to push your boundaries like you never have before, and for sure, you have to get over the idea that when you work, even if you’re not productive, you’re going to collect a paycheck.

Entrepreneurs only get paid when they accept opportunities, involve themselves in innovation and create value for their audience.

That might seem overwhelming right now, especially if you’re accustomed to going to work Monday through Friday, going to tons of meetings, looking busy, doing what you’re told and collecting a paycheck at the end of the week

Without having to push through a single boundary or challenge yourself in any way.

But, take heart, you can do it, it’s in you.

Developing your entrepreneurial mindset just takes learning to think and take action in a new way.

Determine Who You Are Now & Who You Want to Be

It all starts with being honest with yourself about who you are now.

A great way to get to know you is to take a personality test.

When you take it, whether it’s this one at 16 Personalities, or another one, it will help you get to know yourself.

The key to taking these tests and getting helpful answers is to be completely honest.

There is no right or wrong answer.

But, the answers will give you a clear picture of who you are right now and where you can improve.

What are your values?

You can determine your values by your former actions when confronted with a problem or decision that you had to overcome or make.

These are the times that your real values emerge, not just the ones you say you believe in.

Look back on your own choices and determine your real values.

If you have made mistakes and gone against your core values, identify those times and determine how you can make a different choice.

What are your skills? –

Even if you’re not currently an entrepreneur, you already have skills that you can put to use as an entrepreneur.

Make a list of what you do today.

Focus on the deliverables that you provide your employer without too much help from others.

These are the skills that you have that should be the basis of your entrepreneurial venture.

What are your strengths? –

You’ve heard the idea that you need to leverage your strengths but how do you even know what they are?

Using one of the self-assessments mentioned above, you can find out what your strengths are.

When you know them, try to be honest so that your results come out realistic.

Take off your rose coloured glasses so that you can determine your real strengths.

Try asking five of your closest friends to tell you the truth about what your strengths are, and then if more than three of them say the same thing, believe them.

What are your weaknesses? – While you can improve upon your weaknesses, you should first leverage your strengths, but it’s important to know your weaknesses and accept them. It’s still more important to appreciate your efforts, and to understand that the past is a good indicator of how you’ll act in the future. If you know for example that you’re always five minutes late, accept it, instead focus on something positive. That doesn’t mean you don’t work on this habit, but don’t focus on it instead of your strengths.

Only when you know who you really are, the good and the bad, will you be able to truly know yourself enough to be brutally honest about your strengths and weaknesses. It’s important because you cannot move forward if you aren’t honest. You don’t have to tell others, just tell yourself. It can help to know what the top traits of a successful entrepreneur are.

Understand the Top Traits of a Successful Entrepreneur